IronmanLive Hosts Pick the Podium for the AP Championship

IronmanLive hosts Michael Lovato and Matt Lieto serve up their picks for the podium at the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship this weekend.

This weekend’s IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship in Auckland is the kick-off event of the regional championship series. With Kona and 70.3 ranking points on offer, along with a top prize purse, the competition will be steep.

Lovato’s Take:

Depending on who you ask, this race either falls very early in the season (explaining the relative shortage of Northern Hemisphere talent), or it falls very late (tacking onto the heated racing we’ve seen in Asia-Pacific since September).

When the IRONMAN World Championship course record holder, Craig (Crowie) Alexander, says that 70.3 is his best distance, a collective shudder ripples through the audience. Nothing is more exciting than to see Crowie dominate at this distance. His well-rounded approach lands him on the podium nearly every time. However, it’s only January, and we don’t normally see Alexander racing this early in the calendar year.

To have an Olympic Champion in the field always draws merited attention. So, when Germany’s Jan Frodeno toes the line, his adversaries take note. But, until Frodeno perfects his race day fueling and race tactics, he will continue to struggle as he did in Vegas last season.

Looking for those ready for the early challenge, I am certain we will see at least two Kiwi’s inside the top three. Bevan Docherty has a few advantages going into this event: he’s a local hero, he’s anxious to move past a disappointing DNF in Kona last year, and he still feels the sting of getting outrun at this race last year. He’s motivated and can win.

Second place will go to Terrenzo Bozzone, the talented Kiwi who has found his way back to his winning form that won a 70.3 world title in Clearwater in 2008. He’s fast, he’s furious, he’s Terrenzo.

Third place will go to Richie Cunningham, who is traveling across the globe to start accumulating points for a Kona start. This man is always dangerous on a 70.3 race course and he tends not to care if it’s January, June, or October.

The women’s field is highlighted by last year’s Auckland champ, and third place Vegas finisher, Annabel Luxford of Australia. She has shown that her relative lack of experience at long distance racing will not slow her down. She was one of very few women to take down Mel Hauschildt in 2013 (at Cozumel 70.3), and she should be well positioned to capitalize on her swim lead to take the win.

Second place will go to Scotland’s Catriona Morrison, an athlete very much on the comeback trail after missing the 2012 season. Last year was good to her, and she should be very close to the form that has netted her multiple 70.3 and IRONMAN titles.

Third place should go to legendary Kiwi athlete, Jo Lawn, the talented and hard working veteran of the group. But her success will depend on how hungry she is to battle the up-and-comers over this distance. Her strength has always been full-distance racing and there are many Kiwis and Aussies looking to take down the champ on her home course, including Michele Bremer, Hannah Lawrence and Michele Wu.

Lieto’s Picks:

With an early season start date it will be the athlete that comes to this race fit, but recovered from last year, who will have the best shot at the win. There are too many names to list, but I think we’ll have many lead changes throughout the day, with the favorites watching each other, which could make for solo fliers from those not in the “favorite” column.

Terenzo Bozzone had eight podium finishes at IRONMAN 70.3 events last year, including four wins and a second at the world championship. He has no weakness in the three sports and he has the run to win over this stacked field.

Craig Alexander (yeah, that guy) says he’s taking his focus off Kona, which makes me think he will focus on 70.3 domination. That could be dangerous for all that oppose. He hates to lose and doesn’t line up unless he’s ready to win, so ...

Last year’s runner up, Bevan Docherty, did not finish his last two races of 2013 (Kona and Vegas). Back on home soil with something to prove and a solid training block, the man with the killer finish will be the man if it comes to the last kilometer.

Dark Horse: James Hodge could provide an upset over this stacked field. He took the race on his own last year after getting a gap off of the bike, ending up fifth.

The women’s field might not have the depth of the men’s race, but will certainly provide some exciting racing.

Last year’s third place finisher at the world championship, Annabel Luxford will be hard to look past for the win. She will be up front from the gun and, with her even strengths across swim, bike and run, it will take a huge effort to take the lead away from her.

Catriona Morrison will likely be the big mover throughout the day as she may be a bit behind the lead after the swim. Don’t worry, though, she’ll make it towards the front with her stellar bike and run combo. She was on the podium in four 70.3’s last year and finished fourth at the world championship.

Tough lady and New Zealand hero Sam Warriner won IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns last year and kept her foot speed up with a top-20 finish at the World Cup in Auckland. On a tough day she could certainly climb the podium steps by race end.

Dark Horse: Joanna Lawn shouldn’t really be considered a dark horse as she has as much a chance to win here as any. Home town advantage along with the X-factor when it comes to experience at long course racing an knowing how to win IRONMAN races in New Zealand.

Visit the IRONMAN 70.3 Auckland event page for more information about the course, professional ranking points, prize purse and age group qualifying slots. Check back on Sunday and follow the action as it unfolds on the course with video coverage, along with text updates and our live athlete tracker. Join the race day conversation on Facebook and Twitter using #IM703Auckland.